Perry got funding from the Obama administration.,But he acts as if PBO never helped him or other red governors:
Perry never noticed the drones
...Nathan Pippenger explained, the idea Perry recommends was already put in place years ago.
If youre an average voter (and not, say, the governor of Texas), you could be forgiven for not knowing the details of our current southwest border surveillance efforts, which include 250 towers with daytime and nighttime cameras, 38 truck-mounted infrared cameras and radar systems, 130 planes and helicopters, and, yes, a fleet of unmanned aircraft systems.
The only possible charitable interpretation here is that by drones, Perry specifically meant autonomous unmanned aircraft, not remotely-controlled unmanned aircraft (drone technically refers only to the former, though its generally used to refer to both). It doesnt sound like Perry was making that distinction, and in any case, its unimportant, because this is already policy. It is not, in any way, a new idea.
In fact, The New York Times reported on the use of unmanned aircraft at the border almost two years ago. And its been over six months since DHS Secretary Napolitano gave a major speech announcing that Customs and Border Protection had Predators covering the entire southwest border, from the El Centro sector of California all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. She even gave the speech in El Paso! This shouldnt be news to the governor of a massive border state.
Its not like Perry can claim hes new to the job and didnt realize these efforts were underway drones have been used along Texas border for six years, utilized by the Bush and Obama administrations, and Perry has been governor the entire time...
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_08/perry_never_noticed_the_drones031592.php
A friend down in Texas sent me the link to the streaming survelliance system, where you can watch people crossing the border day or night online. There is a number to call if you see anything to get border patrol agents dispatched to the area where they are seen. A DIY citizen involvement method.
The State of Texas recieves a great deal of federal money to pay for all sorts of things related to the border. Including funds the same as many states get to equip their LEOs with the latest in military technology.
Republicans just hate Democrats and Obama and never give them any credit. Of course, they're not the only ones.